Turkey is a land of remains of ancient civilisations and modern metropolises. It’s a land full of kind people who gladly invite you for a cup of tea. Tourism is a strong industry in Turkey, but there are still cities where you’ll be the only tourist. Read the following travel tips and start exploring. And don’t forget that, as a HI member, you get 10% off all tours you book at GetYourGuide.
Istanbul is packed full of all kinds of attractions. You can see them with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus, which has 15 stops. Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, such as Hagia Sofia with its impressive dome and the mosaics of the Blue Mosque with its six minarets, unfold before you. Exploring the old city walls and taking a walk through the Spice Bazaar are also interesting activities. Children will enjoy the Miniatürk that shows the mini version of Turkey. If you want to explore the city with an experienced guide, you should choose the single-day city tour. The guide will show you all the major attractions in Istanbul. The tour starts at the old Hippodrome that used to be a sports and social centre. This will be followed by a visit to the palace that was home to the Ottoman emperors between the 15th and 19th centuries, and is now a wonderful treasury. To conclude, you’ll also visit the Grand Bazaar with over 3,000 shops where people sell everything, from jewellery to ceramics and leather.
With its diversity, Istanbul offers plenty of cultural experiences. The mystical Sufi culture is especially interesting. Its practitioners wrote wonderful morals and songs about acceptance and tolerance. They developed religious practices that focus on self-control and meditation. You can discover all the secrets on a spiritual journey by taking part in a mystical ritual of the Mevlevi Order whose dance is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The dance is a journey through the man’s spiritual ascent through music and dance moves.
In the evening, experience the city on the Bosphorus cruise. A welcome cocktail awaits you upon arrival and then a trip to the Black Sea along the border between Europe and Asia. You’ll be mesmerised by the Topkapı Palace, castles and numerous mansions. Traditional dances will take place on the lower deck. You can also read about our volunteer Maruša’s experience of Istanbul during her four-month exchange.
I recommend staying at the Sultan Hostel, which is located right at the heart of the city and next to all the major sights. The hostel is also home to a tourist agency and it offers excellent food. Here you can read how to offset your carbon footprint by booking a HI hostel. You also get 10% off your booking. A guided tour will uncover all the secrets of the Dolmabahçe Palace, the largest residence of the sultans where collections of chandeliers await.
The main Istanbul airport is located outside the city centre. If you’re wondering how to get from the airport to the heart of the city, I’m offering you a solution: a private transfer that will take you anywhere you want safely and for an affordable price. A direct flight from Istanbul to the Kayseri airport will take you to Cappadocia in an hour.
Cappadocia is a magical land with impressive cultural and natural heritage, and it’s one of the places you simply have to see when in Turkey. With its rocky peaks and valleys, it’s a true paradise for photographers. Water and wind have been shaping this unusual landscape for millennia. The fairy chimneys are a particularly famous rock formation. You can get the “fairest” view of them and numerous other rock formations on a hot-air balloon sunrise flight. Many caves and stone churches also hide secrets.
The Turkish Mediterranean coastline is famous for its long stretches of sandy beaches and numerous remnants from Ancient Greek and Roman times. Antalya is a diverse holiday destination with a rich history. It flourished in Ancient Rome when Hadrian’s Gate was built there, after which the city’s authorities often changed, leaving behind picturesque monuments. Experience the city on a whole-day trip that starts at Düden waterfalls and the caves. The trip includes an hour-long boat ride and delicious traditional Turkish lunch. Antalya’s surroundings are quite interesting, especially the Taurus Mountais, which you can explore on an all-terrain vehicle. The Roman theatre, Aspendos, is located south of the city and it’s the next Turkish attraction worth visiting. More than one hundred kilometres east lies the picturesque Alanya resort with lovely beaches and pleasant climate that’s perfect for a holiday. If you’re looking for something really special, viewing the city from a pirate ship fits that bill. A six-hour cruise offers you plenty of opportunities for swimming and cave exploring. You’ll see the city’s major attractions, such as the Red Tower, the old shipyard and the castle. The majestic Ephesus ruins lie along the Mediterranean coast. It was an Ancient Greek city that flourished in Ancient Rome. Here you can get a sense of the gold age of the Roman Empire. The Library of Celsus, a complex of row houses and a large theatre are especially well-preserved. You should take at least half a day if you want to take a good look at these landmarks.
The Aegean coastline offers lots of attractions and experiences. Tens of thousands of soldiers lost their lives on the Gallipoli Peninsula during World War II and numerous cemeteries can be found on the rolling hills that are dedicated to them. Nearby are the ruins of the legendary city of Troy and the Pergamon acropolis on the promontory. The Datça and Bozburun peninsulas will take you back to nature. There you’ll find rocky coasts, picturesque villages and small and quiet resorts.
A little bit inland is the best-preserved Ottoman city of Safranbolu, abundant in renovated wooden mansions. There’s also Pamukkale, which means “cotton castle” in Turkish. The water from the hot springs deposits calcium carbonate and forms white fields. Numerous canals bring warm water to the neighbouring villages. The ancient cit of Hierapolis once stood nearby and the remnants of ancient pools can still be seen there.
Eastern Turkey is full of attractions. One of the major ones is Mount Nemrut. Large stone heads of long forgotten gods gaze from the peak in the middle of the desert. The heads are part of the burial mound Antiochus I Soter built for himself. The place is best viewed at sunset. The cities of Gaziantep and Antakya are famous for their excellent cuisine and numerous museums full of Roman mosaics. Here you can learn about the story of the Kurds in Turkey. The picturesque town of Mardin and its monasteries are also worth visiting. The mysterious Göbekli Tepe archaeological site and the oldest religious site in the world also awaits. Even further in the east lie the extensive and charming ruins of the ancient Armenian capital Ani, which was once known as the City of One Thousand and One Churches.
Lonely Planet offers a wide array of travel guides for Turkey. You can choose the one that has travel tips for the whole country or just the one the focuses on Istanbul. You can familiarise yourself with the basics of the local language using a special phrasebook. All HI members get 20% off.
And if you’re worried about safety while travelling, I recommend the World Nomads travel insurance. You pay the basic insurance, which depends on where you’re travelling and for how long. It covers admission into hospital, an early flight back home, the costs due to stolen passports or luggage, and much more. HI members get 5% off.
These days it’s good to be familiar with the pandemic travel restrictions in Turkey. You can keep up to date with them here.
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